Our Staff

Our Staff

We believe that it is important for you to feel comfortable with all of us at Colonial Chapel. The funeral directors, Edward II, Edward III,  and Mark are here to serve your every need. We will be with you every step of the way during this most difficult time. Whether you need advice regarding your arrangements, or you have questions or concerns after the funeral, the staff members of Colonial Chapel are here to serve you.

Edward Damstra Ii

Edward Damstra II

Founder
Email: info@colonialchapel.com
Office Phone: 708-532-5400
Fax: 708-532-5593

Ed has been a funeral director since 1965. He founded and built Colonial Chapel in 1976. Ed has been married for over 56 years to Lois (Doorn) Damstra. They still reside in the residence above the funeral home. Ed and Lois have three children, eight grandchildren, six great-granddaughters and seven great-grandsons.

Edward Damstra Iii

Edward Damstra III

Funeral Director/Owner
Email: ed@colonialchapel.com
Office Phone: 708-532-5400
Fax: 708-532-5593

Ed III has been a funeral director since 1988. Ed resides in Orland Park with his wife of over 25 years, Kellie (Gibbons) Damstra. They have two children, Eddie who is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, IN and Emily who graduated from Hope College in Holland, MI. Ed graduated from Worsham College of Mortuary Science in 1987 and Trinity Christian College in Palos Heights, IL in 1989.  Ed and Kellie are members of  Orland Park Christian Reformed Church. 

Mark Birmingham

Mark Birmingham

Funeral Director
Email: mark@colonialchapel.com
Office Phone: 708-532-5400
Fax: 708-532-5593

Mark Birmingham has been a funeral director since 2000. Mark lives in Chicago Ridge, where he grew up. He graduated from Polaris High School in Oak Lawn. He completed Worsham College of Mortuary Science in 1999 and began working at Colonial Chapel in February of 2000.  

Debbie Vandervelde

Debbie VanderVelde

Secretary
Email: info@colonialchapel.com
Office Phone: 708-532-5400
Fax: 708-532-5593

Debbie answers the phone and has worked in the office for several years. She is married to Randy. They have three children, five granddaughters and four grandsons and they reside in Tinley Park, Illinois.

Tami Henke

Tami Henke

Secretary
Email: info@colonialchapel.com
Office Phone: 708-532-5400
Fax: 708-532-5593

Tami graduated from Fox College in 1989. In 1993, she married Ken. They have a son and a daughter and live in Homer Glen. She joined the funeral home staff in 2008 to answer the phone and to work in the office.  Ken and Tami attend Hickory Creek Church in Frankfort, IL.

Anne Galinski

After Care Family Services Director
Email: anne@colonialchapel.com
Office Phone: 708-532-5400
Fax: 708-532-5593

Anne joined Colonial Chapel in 2014 as our After Care Family Services Director.  Anne currently resides in Orland Park and has three sons and four grandchildren.  She was born in South Carolina and raised in North Carolina.  She moved to Illinois in 1974.  She is a member of Morraine Valley Church in Palos Heights.  

Don Kuiken

Funeral Assistant
Email: info@colonialchapel.com
Office Phone: 708-532-5400
Fax: 708-532-5593

Don has worked at Colonial Chapel since 2015. Before joining the staff at Colonial he worked in the Power Generation Industry for 34 years. Don and his wife Gail reside in Tinley Park and have two adult children and eight grandchildren. Don and Gail attend Grace Fellowship Church.
Denny Dryfhout

Denny Dryfhout

Funeral Assistant
Email: info@colonialchapel.com
Office Phone: 708-532-5400
Fax: 708-532-5593

Denny has been working at Colonial Chapel since 2009. Prior to working at Colonial, he owned and operated Worth Printing for 18 years. Denny and his wife of 43 years, Janice (Boss), reside in Frankfort. They have three children and eight grandchildren. Denny and Jan are members of Calvary Church in Orland Park.


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